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**J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]** · October 3rd 17, 03:05 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

In message ,
writes:
Hi,

My son, who lives out of state, bought a new computer and wants
to donate his WinXP desktop PC to Good Will or other.

I told him that he should "wipe" (clear his personal data) the hard drive
first.

Can anyone recommend a good "wiper" type program?

Thank You in advance, John

You don't really need a multi-overwrite utility these days, unless
there's something on it you really don't want to fall into the hands of
the security services. Just delete all the data (including emptying the
recycle bins), then fill the disc with something else so that where the
deleted files are is overwritten, so that they aren't undeletable.
Anything will do. The easiest way _if_ the software/hardware already is
present on the machine is to set it capturing - video is fastest - until
the disc is full (make sure it hasn't left a less-than-4G bit when it
stops though); failing that, just repeatedly copying some big file.

The important thing (well, another important thing) is to make sure he's
removed all his personal data from the various places it hides - wifi
keys for a trivial example.

The totally simplest way is to just format the hard drive (in another
machine) - not a quick format, a full one. But I assume he wants to
donate it as a working machine, which probably precludes that. (Needs to
be activated and have relevant drivers for the hardware.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

"I'm very peachable, if people know how to peach" - Sir David Attenborough (on
being asked if he was tired of being described as impeachable), on Desert
Island Discs, 2012-1-29.